Thermoplastic polyurethane compound composition for coated yarn and method for manufacturing coated yarn using the thermoplastic polyurethane compound

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a coated yarn having outstanding physical properties, the method comprising: collecting thermoplastic polyurethane in virgin form, as scraps remaining after being suitably used for airbag patterns in a shoe manufacturing process, or as scraps remaining after other thermoplastic polyurethane is processed; mixing the various kinds of thermoplastic polyurethane with various additives; compounding the resultant mixture using an extruder to prepare a thermoplastic polyurethane compound for a coated yarn; and coating the surface of a yarn made from polyester, nylon, spandex, etc. with the compound using an extruder.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of pending International Patent ApplicationPCT/KR2012/008801 filed on Oct. 25, 2012, which designates the UnitedStates and claims priority of Korean Patent Application No.10-2011-0146923 filed on Dec. 30, 2011, and Korean Patent ApplicationNo. 10-2012-0114735 filed on Oct. 16, 2012, the entire contents of whichare incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a thermoplastic polyurethane compoundcomposition which is used to form a coating layer on the surface of yarnmade of polyester, nylon, spandex or the like, and more particularly toa thermoplastic polyurethane compound composition, which is used toproduce coated yarn by mixing thermoplastic polyurethane resin withadditives, compounding the mixture in an extruder and coating thesurface of yarn (made of polyester, nylon, spandex or the like) with thecompounded thermoplastic polyurethane to form a coating layer, and to amethod of producing coated yarn using the thermoplastic polyurethanecompound composition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is known, yarns that are used to make industrial blind or floormaterials are made of polyester, nylon, spandex or the like. However,these yarns have low rigidity, and thus a coating layer is formed on thesurface of the yarns. Coated yarn is produced by coating PVC or PP onthe surface of yarn made of polyester, nylon, spandex or the like whilepassing the yarn through a coating machine, particularly the core of thecoating machine, in a state in which the yarn is wound around bobbins onthe shelf.

However, the coated yarn produced by the above-described method hasdisadvantages of low durability and abrasion resistance, as well asinsufficient properties such as low mechanical strength and chemicalstrength. For this reason, industrial blind or floor materials made ofthe coated yarn cannot be used for a long period of time in industrialfields.

In addition, among prior art documents as described below, prior artdocument (Korean Patent Registration No. 10-0875709; hereinafterreferred to “conventional technology”) discloses coated yarn produced bycoating the surface of yarn with thermoplastic polyurethane and anon-slipping fabric made of the coated yarn.

However, in the case of the conventional technology, when thermoplasticpolyurethane is used, productivity is reduced to the low viscosity ofthe thermoplastic polyurethane, and particularly, it is impossible toproduce coated yarn having thin thickness. In addition, the surface ofthe coated yarn becomes glossy, and for this reason, an additionalprocess for matting the surface is required.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS Patent Documents

Document 1: Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2012-0078630(entitled “polyester yarn and production method thereof; published onJul. 10, 2012).

Document 2: Korean Patent No. 10-0875709 (entitled “non-slipping fabriccomprising thermoplastic polyurethane-coated yarn; published on Dec. 23,2008).

Document 3: Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2008-0028665(entitled “apparatus of producing PVC-coated yarn using polyester yarn;published Apr. 1, 208).

Document 4: Korean Patent No. 10-0749311 (entitled “method for producingyarn”; published on May 16, 2007).

Document 5: Korean Patent No. 10-0752272 (entitled “method for producingcoated yarn having glossy and metallic feeling and dice for use inproduction of yarn; published on Sep. 18, 2007).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in order to solve theabove-described problems occurring in the prior art, and it is an objectof the present invention to provide a thermoplastic polyurethanecompound composition, which is used to produce a coated yarn having highdurability, abrasion resistance, mechanical strength and chemicalstrength by mixing thermoplastic polyurethane resin with variousadditives, compounding the mixture in an extruder, and coating thecompounded thermoplastic polyurethane on the surface of yarn (made ofpolyester, nylon, spandex or the like) in a conventional extruder toform a coating layer, and a method of producing coated yarn using thethermoplastic polyurethane compound composition.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a thermoplasticpolyurethane compound composition for coating yarn, which can be used ina wide range of applications, including blind or floor materials, sportsgoods and daily necessities, and a method of producing coated yarn usingthe thermoplastic polyurethane compound composition.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide athermoplastic polyurethane compound composition for coating yarn, whichcomprises, in addition to thermoplastic polyurethane, a thickener thatcan increase the viscosity of coating solution to achieve a requireddischarge rate (preferably, a discharge rate of 600 m/min or higher,which makes it possible to increase productivity and produce yarnshaving a fineness of 1,000 denier or less), and a method of producingcoated yarn using the thermoplastic polyurethane compound composition.

The present invention is characterized in that a thermoplasticpolyurethane compound for coating yarn is prepared by compounding athermoplastic polyurethane with a thickener and a processing aid, thecolor of the thermoplastic polyurethane compound may be reproduced byadding a master batch corresponding to a desired color, and a coatedyarn having a desired thickness may be produced by coating thethermoplastic polyurethane compound on the surface of yarn made ofpolyester, nylon, spandex or the like in a conventional extruder.

In addition, the present invention is characterized in that thethickener that is used to prepare the thermoplastic polyurethanecompound for coating yarn is any one selected from among inorganicmaterials, including silica, talc and calcium carbonate (CaCO₃).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a process of producing a thermoplastic polyurethanecompound for coating of yarn according to a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention by mixing thermoplastic polyurethane with variousadditives and compounding the mixture in an extruder.

FIG. 2 shows a process of coating a thermoplastic polyurethane compound,obtained as shown in FIG. 1, on the surface of yarn made of polyester,nylon, spandex or the like according to a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a thermoplastic polyurethane compoundcomposition which is used to produce coated yarn, the compositioncomprising thermoplastic polyurethane and a thickener.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In thefollowing detailed description, exemplary embodiments for solving thetechnical problem of the present invention will be described.Embodiments other than the disclosed embodiments may also becontemplated according to the present invention.

The present invention provides a method capable of producing a coatedyarn having excellent physical properties, the method comprising:preparing virgin thermoplastic polyurethane or collecting thermoplasticpolyurethane scrap remaining after the manufacture of airbag patterns infootwear manufacturing processes or after processing of thermoplasticpolyurethane; mixing the thermoplastic polyurethane with variousadditives; compounding the mixture in an extruder to prepare athermoplastic polyurethane compound (hereinafter referred to as “TPUcompound”) for coating yarn; and coating the TPU compound on the surfaceof yarn made of polyester, nylon, spandex or the like in a conventionalextruder. The present invention also provides a thermoplasticpolyurethane compound composition which is used to produce the coatedyarn.

In the present invention, coated yarn having a desired color can beproduced by adding a master batch corresponding to the desired colorduring production of the TPU compound for coating yarn. Moreover, a TPUcompound for coating yarn, which has a desired hardness, can be preparedby controlling the content of raw material. In addition, the thicknessof coated yarn can be reduced depending on the thickness of yarn made ofpolyester, nylon, spandex or the like.

Thus, the present invention provides a thermoplastic polyurethanecompound composition, which is used to produce a coated yarn which hasexcellent durability and abrasion resistance and good mechanicalstrength and chemical strength due to the inherent physical propertiesof thermoplastic polyurethane, and thus can be used in a wide range ofapplications, including sports goods, daily necessities and industrialsupplies. The present invention also provides a method of producingcoated yarn using the thermoplastic polyurethane compound composition.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail withreference to preferred embodiments, but the scope of the presentinvention is not limited to these embodiments.

Embodiment 1

A method of producing coated yarn using thermoplastic polyurethaneaccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is dividedinto the following two steps: a first step of preparing a TPU compoundfor coating yarn; and a second step of coating the surface of yarn withthe TPU compound. The production method according to the presentinvention will now be described in further detail with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2. The first step is a step of mixing thermoplasticpolyurethane with various additives and compounding the mixture in anextruder to prepare a TPU compound for coating yarn and is specificallyshown in FIG. 1. The second step is a step of coating the TPU compoundon the surface of yarn made of polyester, nylon, spandex or the like andis specifically shown in FIG. 2.

1. Step of Preparing TPU Compound for Coating Yarn

As shown in FIG. 1, this step comprises: 1) mixing thermoplasticpolyurethane with various additives (preferably a thickener and aprocessing aid) and feeding the mixture into the hopper of aconventional compounding extruder; 2) melting, kneading and compoundingthe mixture in the cylinder of the compounding extruder at a temperatureof 150˜250° C. and a pressure of 50-150 kgf; 3) cutting a coatingsolution (i.e., compounded thermoplastic polyurethane coating solution),discharged through the dice of the compounding extruder, in coolingwater to form pellets; and 4) drying the formed thermoplasticpolyurethane pellets at a temperature of 60˜80° C. for 4-6 hours andaging the dried pellets at a temperature of 30˜50° C. for 7 days ormore.

Hereinafter, components that are used in the production of a TPUcompound for coating yarn, that is, thermoplastic polyurethane, athickener and a processing aid, will be described.

The thermoplastic polyurethane is a virgin thermoplastic polyurethaneprepared by polymerizing aromatic isocyanate or aliphatic isocyanatewith polyether polyol or polycarprolactone using short chain glycol(e.g., 1,4-butanediol) as a chain extender.

In the present invention, in addition to virgin thermoplasticpolyurethane, thermoplastic polyurethane scrap remaining after themanufacture of footwear may also be used in the present invention.Specifically, either airbag scrap remaining after the processing ofairbags for footwear or clear or semi-clear type thermoplasticpolyurethane scrap is used.

In the present invention, a thickener is used during the preparation ofa thermoplastic polyurethane coating solution in order to improveproductivity and matting properties. As the thickener, silica powder oran inorganic material (e.g., talc or CaCO₃) that increases viscosity isused. The thickener that is used in the present invention may also be analloy with a resin such as a styrene butadiene styrene (SBS) blockcopolymer, a styrene ethylene/butylene styrene (SEBS) resin, apolyacetal resin (POM) or a styrene acrylonitrile resin (SAN), which canimpart compatibility with thermoplastic polyurethane.

In the present invention, a processing agent is also used in order toimprove productivity. Specifically, the processing agent is montane waxor a fatty acid ester (C₅-C₉) with pentaerythritol.

In addition, in the present invention, an adhesive additive is usedafter weaving of a mesh with coated yarn. The adhesive additive is anolefin (PE, PP, EVA, etc.)-based coupling agent (containing 2-20% maleicanhydride).

Table 1 below show the results of using silica as a thickener whenproducing coated yarn using thermoplastic polyurethane according to thepresent invention.

TABLE 1 TPU Melt Flow Extru- compound index beginning sion (product(g/10 tempera- Flow viscosity work- Silica name) min) ture (° C.) 165°C. 170° C. ability content ESTANE58277 19.58 155.2 30,950 10,830 Poor0.0 phr (Lubrizol) AK-92A-4 13.50 154.6 34,380 12,030 Good 1.5 phrAK-92A-5 8.45 156.5 40,570 14,930 Good 3.0 phr

As can be seen in Table 1 above, as the silica content increased, themelt index decreased and the flow viscosity increased, suggesting thatsilica showed a thickening effect. Also, it could be seen that theextrusion workability was good when the silica content was 1.5 phr orhigher. Further, the product having a silica content of 3.0 phr showedgood extrusion workability, but was difficult to apply, due to theoccurrence of blooming.

Additionally, the product names “AK-92A-4” and “AK-92A-5” shown in Table1 are TPU compounds for coating yarn, prepared by the composition andpreparation method of the present invention. Preferably, these productnames are TPU compounds for coating yarn, prepared using silica as athickener. In addition, the product name “ESTANE58277 (Lubrizol)” shownin Table 1 is a compound for coating yarn, prepared according to themethod of conventional technology.

Table 2 below shows components that are added to prepare TPU compounds(particularly “AK-92A-4” or “AK-92A-5” shown in Table 1) for coatingyarn, and the composition ratio of the components.

TABLE 2 Composition of the present invention AK-92A-4 (wt % ) AK-92A-5(wt % ) Footwear airbag scrap 50.0 50.0 Virgin TPU 43.0 41.5Polyethylene-based 5.0 5.0 coupling agent Silica (thickener) 1.5 3.0Montane wax 0.2 0.2 Fatty acid ester 0.3 0.3

Table 3 below shows a composition between the physical properties of TPUcompounds (particularly “AK-92A-4” and “AK-92A-5” shown in Table 2) forcoating yarn, prepared by the composition and preparation method of thepresent invention, and the physical properties of a compound for coatingyarn (e.g., “ESTANE58277 (Lubrizol) shown in Table 1), prepared byconventional technology.

TABLE 3 Compound according to conventional TPU compounds of technologyProduct the present invention ESTANE58277 name AK-92A-4 AK-92A-5(Lubrizol) Remarks TPU melt 13.5 8.45 15.2 200° C., 2.16 viscosity kgf(g/10 min) TPU flow 154.6 156.5 155.2 beginning temperature (° C.) Coreyarn Polyester Polyester Polyester yarn yarn yarn TPU tensile  250kgf/cm²  230 kgf/cm²  350 kgf/cm² strength TPU tear 110 kgf/cm 105kgf/cm 120 kgf/cm strength TPU specific 1.20-1.21 1.20-1.21 1.21-1.22g/cc gravity TPU 91 ± 2A 91 ± 2A 92 ± 2A Shore A hardness Minimum 0.20.2 0.4 PVC: 0.2 thickness of coated yarn Coated yarn 500-600 500-600100-150 PVC: 600- productivity rpm/min rpm/min rpm/min 700 rpm/minAdhesive 2.5-3.0 1.5-2.0 0.5-1.0 Adhered to strength of kgf kgf kgfreflective film mesh woven (using glass with coated bead) yarn

As can be seen from the results in Table 3 above, the products(“AK-92A-4” and “AK-92A-5”) obtained using silica as a thickener showedsignificantly high productivity, thin thickness and good adhesivestrength compared to the product (“ESTANE58277(Lubrizol)”) obtainedusing general TPU. Also, it can be seen that the product “AK-92A-5” hadlow adhesive strength due to blooming caused by an excessively highcontent of silica. In addition, the use of silica can also providematting effects.

Table 4 below shows the results of using an inorganic material (e.g.,talc) as a thickener.

TABLE 4 TPU Melt Flow Extru- compound index beginning sion (product(g/10 tempera- Flow viscosity work- name) min) ture (° C.) 165° C. 170°C. ability Talc ESTANE58277 19.58 155.2 30,950 10,830 Poor 0.0 phr (Lubrizol) TC-92A-3 9.50 157.8 43,380 15,030 Good 10 phr TC-92A-6 5.65158.5 60,550 18,880 Good 20 phr

As can be seen in Table 4 above, as the talc content increased, the meltindex decreased and the flow viscosity increased, suggesting that talcshowed a thickening effect. Also, it could be seen that the extrusionworkability was good when the talc content was 10 phr or higher.Further, the product having a talc content of 30 phr showed goodextrusion workability, but was difficult to apply, due to the occurrenceof blooming.

Meanwhile, the product names “TC-92A-3” and “TC-92A-6” shown in Table 4are TPU compounds for coating yarn, prepared by the composition andpreparation method of the present invention. Preferably, these productnames are TPU compounds for coating yarn, prepared using talc as athickener. In addition, the product name “ESTANE58277 (Lubrizol)” shownin Table 4 is a compound for coating yarn, prepared according to themethod of conventional technology.

Table 5 below shows components that are added to prepare TPU compounds(particularly “TC-92A-3” or “TC-92A-6” shown in Table 4) for coatingyarn, and the composition ratio of the components.

TABLE 5 Composition of the present invention TC-92A-3 (wt % ) TC-92A-6(wt % ) Footwear airbag scrap 40.0 40.0 Virgin TPU 44.5 34.5Polyethylene-based 5.0 5.0 coupling agent Talc (thickener) 10.0 20.0Montane wax 0.2 0.2 Fatty acid ester 0.3 0.3

Table 6 below shows a composition between the physical properties of TPUcompounds (particularly “TC-92A-3” and “TC-92A-6” shown in Table 5) forcoating yarn, prepared by the composition and preparation method of thepresent invention, and the physical properties of a compound for coatingyarn (e.g., “ESTANE58277 (Lubrizol) shown in Table 4), prepared byconventional technology.

TABLE 6 Compound according to conventional TPU compounds of technologyProduct the present invention ESTANE58277 name TC-92A-3 TC-92A-6(Lubrizol) Remarks TPU melt 9.50 5.65 15.2 200° C., 2.16 viscosity kgf(g/10 min) TPU flow 157.8 158.5 155.2 beginning temperature (° C.) Coreyarn Polyester Polyester Polyester yarn yarn yarn TPU tensile  200kgf/cm²  160 kgf/cm²  350 kgf/cm² strength TPU tear 100 kgf/cm 90 kgf/cm120 kgf/cm strength TPU specific 1.21-1.22 1.22-1.23 1.21-1.22 g/ccgravity TPU 92 ± 2A 93 ± 2A 92 ± 2A Shore A hardness Minimum 0.26 0.250.4 PVC: 0.2 thickness of coated yarn Coated yarn 300-400 300-400100-150 PVC: 600- productivity rpm/min rpm/min rpm/min 700 rpm/minAdhesive 1.5-2.0 1.0-1.5 0.5-1.0 Adhered to strength of kgf kgf kgfreflective film mesh woven (using glass with coated bead) yarn

As can be seen from the results in Table 6 above, the products(“TC-92A-3” and “TC-92A-6”) obtained using talc as a thickener showedhigh productivity and thin coated yarn thickness compared to the product(“ESTANE58277(Lubrizol)”) obtained using general TPU, but these productsshowed slightly low productivity and low adhesive strength compared tothe products (“AK-92A-4” and “AK-92A-5”) obtained using silica as athickener. Also, it can be seen that the product “TC-92A-6” had lowadhesive strength due to blooming caused by an excessively high contentof talc.

Table 7 below show the results of using polyacetal resin (POM) as athickener when producing coated yarn using thermoplastic polyurethaneaccording to the present invention.

TABLE 7 TPU Melt Flow Extru- compound index beginning sion (product(g/10 tempera- Flow viscosity work- POM name) min) ture (° C.) 165° C.170° C. ability content ESTANE58277 19.58 155.2 30,950 10,830 Poor 0.0phr  (Lubrizol) PA-95A-3 10.20 178.2 52,240 27,830 Good 10 phr PA-95A-56.65 185.1 63,580 37,880 Good 20 phr

As can be seen in Table 7 above, as the POM content increased, the meltindex decreased and the flow viscosity increased, suggesting that POMshowed a thickening effect. Also, it could be seen that the extrusionworkability was good when the POM content was 10 phr or higher. Further,the product having a POM content of 10 phr showed good extrusionworkability, but had hard significantly hard feeling due to increasedhardness.

Additionally, the product names “PA-95A-3” and “PA-95A-5” shown in Table7 are TPU compounds for coating yarn, prepared by the composition andpreparation method of the present invention. Preferably, these productnames are TPU compounds for coating yarn, prepared using polyacetalresin (POM) as a thickener. In addition, the product name “ESTANE58277(Lubrizol)” shown in Table 7 is a compound for coating yarn, preparedaccording to the method of conventional technology.

Table 8 below shows components that are added to prepare TPU compounds(particularly “PA-95A-3” or “PA-95A-5” shown in Table 7) for coatingyarn, and the composition ratio of the components.

TABLE 8 Composition of the present invention PA-95A-3 (wt % ) PA-95A-5(wt % ) Virgin TPU 84.5 74.5 Polyethylene-based 10.0 20.0 coupling agentPOM resin 5.0 5.0 Montane wax 0.2 0.2 Fatty acid ester 0.3 0.3

Table 9 below shows a composition between the physical properties of TPUcompounds (particularly “PA-95A-3” and “PA-95A-5” shown in Table 8) forcoating yarn, prepared by the composition and preparation method of thepresent invention, and the physical properties of a compound for coatingyarn (e.g., “ESTANE58277 (Lubrizol) shown in Table 7), prepared byconventional technology.

TABLE 9 Compound according to conventional TPU compounds of thetechnology Product present invention ESTANE58277 name AK-92A-3 AK-92A-5(Lubrizol) Remarks TPU melt 10.2 6.65 15.2 200° C., 2.16 viscosity kgf(g/10 min) TPU flow 178.2 185.1 155.2 beginning temperature (° C.) Coreyarn Polyester Polyester Polyester yarn yarn yarn TPU tensile  300kgf/cm²  250 kgf/cm²  350 kgf/cm² strength TPU tear 150 kgf/cm 160kgf/cm 120 kgf/cm strength TPU specific 1.20-1.21 1.19-1.20 1.21-1.22g/cc gravity TPU 95 ± 2A 97 ± 2A 92 ± 2A Shore A hardness Minimum 0.20.2 0.4 PVC: 0.2 thickness of coated yarn Coated yarn 350-450 300-400100-150 PVC: 600- productivity rpm/min rpm/min rpm/min 700 rpm/minAdhesive 2.5-3.0 2.0-2.5 0.5-1.0 Adhered to strength of kgf kgf kgfreflective film mesh woven (using glass with coated bead) yarn

As can be seen from the results in Table 9 above, the products(“PA-95A-3” and “PA-95A-5”) obtained using POM resin as a thickenershowed high productivity and thin coated yarn thickness compared to theproduct (“ESTANE58277(Lubrizol)”) obtained using general TPU, but theseproducts showed slightly low productivity compared to the productsobtained using silica. Also, it can be seen that the product “PA-95A-5”had high hardness due to an excessively high content of POM resin,suggesting that it would provide a fabric having significantly hardfeeling.

From the results of using the thickeners as described above, it can beseen that the use of silica as a thickener showed the highestproductivity and excellent matting effects, suggesting that it canprovide the best product (coated yarn).

The physical properties shown in Tables 3, 6 and 9 above, including TPUmelt viscosity, TPU flow beginning temperature, TPU tensile strength,TPU tear strength, TPU specific gravity and TPU hardness, are thephysical properties of the TPU compound for coating yarn to be providedby the present invention.

2. Step of Producing Coated Yarn

The step of producing coated yarn is a step of coating the TPU compoundon the surface of yarn (made of polyester, nylon, spandex or the like).

As shown in FIG. 2, this step comprises: 1) mixing the TPU compound forcoating yarn (i.e., pellet-type thermoplastic polyurethane as describedabove) with a master batch corresponding to a desired color and feedingthe mixture into the hopper of a yarn coating extruder; 2) melting themixture of the TPU compound and the master batch in the cylinder of theyarn coating extruder at a temperature of 150˜250° C. and a pressure of50-150 kgf; 3) coating the TPU compound on the surface of yarn (made ofpolyester, nylon, spandex or the like) passing through a nipple and adice to produce coated yarn; and 4) winding the coated yarn around abobbin using a winding machine.

As shown in FIG. 2, coated yarn comprising thermoplastic polyurethaneaccording to the present invention can be obtained by coating a TPUcompound (particularly, dried and aged pellet-type thermoplasticpolyurethane), prepared by the preparation method and composition of thepresent invention, on the surface of yarn made of polyester, nylon,spandex or the like.

The thermoplastic polyurethane compound composition according to theembodiment of the present invention and the method of producing coatedyarn using the thermoplastic polyurethane compound composition achievesthe following effects.

First, because the thermoplastic polyurethane compound for coating yarnaccording to the present invention is prepared by compoundingthermoplastic polyurethane with a thickener (preferably an inorganicmaterial such as silica, talc or calcium carbonate) in an extruder,higher productivity (i.e., 3-5 times higher productivity) and excellentmatting properties compared to the use of conventional thermoplasticpolyurethane can be achieved in the present invention.

Second, fabric made of the coated yarn of the present invention hasexcellent abrasion resistance, high tensile strength and excellentwaterproof properties and can show excellent thermal moldability andadhesive properties, compared to conventional fabric.

Third, because the coated yarn according to the present invention hasexcellent durability, abrasion resistance and mechanical strength, itcan be applied to sports good, daily necessities, industrial suppliesand the like.

1. A thermoplastic polyurethane compound composition for coating yarn,which is used to produce coated yarn, the composition comprising:thermoplastic polyurethane; and a thickener.
 2. The thermoplasticpolyurethane compound composition of claim 1, further comprising aprocessing aid.
 3. The thermoplastic polyurethane compound compositionof claim 2, further comprising an olefin-based coupling agent.
 4. Thethermoplastic polyurethane compound composition of claim 1, wherein thethickener is any one selected from among silica, an inorganic material,and an alloy with a resin capable of imparting compatibility with thethermoplastic polyurethane.
 5. The thermoplastic polyurethane compoundcomposition of claim 4, wherein the inorganic material is talc orcalcium carbonate.
 6. The thermoplastic polyurethane compoundcomposition of claim 4, wherein the resin capable of impartingcompatibility with the thermoplastic polyurethane is any one selectedfrom among a styrene butadiene styrene block copolymer, a styreneethylene/butylene styrene resin, a polyacetal resin or a styreneacrylonitrile resin.
 7. The thermoplastic polyurethane compoundcomposition of claim 2, wherein the processing aid is montane wax orfatty acid ester.
 8. The thermoplastic polyurethane compound compositionof claim 1, wherein the yarn is any one selected from among polyester,nylon and spandex.
 9. A method for producing coated yarn usingthermoplastic polyurethane, the method comprising the steps of: mixingthermoplastic polyurethane with a thickener, melting and kneading themixture, and drying and aging the kneaded mixture to prepare a compound;and melting the compound and coating the melted compound on the surfaceof yarn made of any one selected from among polyester, nylon andspandex.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the method further comprisesadding and mixing a processing aid when mixing the thermoplasticpolyurethane with the thickener.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein themethod further comprises adding and mixing an olefin-based couplingagent.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the thickener is any oneselected from among silica, an inorganic material, and an alloy with aresin capable of imparting compatibility with the thermoplasticpolyurethane.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the inorganic materialis talc or calcium carbonate.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein themelting is performed at a temperature of 150˜250° C. and a pressure of50-150 kgf.